Prevention and Treatment Gingivitis can be controlled and treated with good oral hygiene and regular professional cleaning. More severe forms of periodontal disease can also be successfully treated, but may require more extensive treatment. Periodontitis can be stopped if detected and treated early enough. If you have advanced periodontal disease (periodontitis), treatments are available to help you save your teeth.
However, time is of the essence, as tooth loss is imminent when serious gum disease is allowed to progress. The severity of gum disease may vary depending on the progress of the disease. The earliest stage, known as gingivitis, causes only mild inflammation and can be reversed with good oral hygiene and dental cleaning. The most advanced stage is a chronic condition called periodontitis.
This condition corrodes the bone structures and soft tissues that support the teeth. Over time, it can lead to tooth loss. Gingivitis can be cured without permanent damage. Periodontitis can't be cured, but it can be controlled.
Bone loss can be very slow or interrupted. In addition to the fact that periodontitis progresses much faster in smokers, these people often have a poor prognosis for periodontitis.
